Author Topic: water retention (Read 9487 times)

kitty · « **on:** April 11, 2005, 21:10:27 »

i dont know if anyones posted this before...or thought of it for that matter but i find it useful-hope you do too!

you know those expensive water retaining granules that you mix with your compost?
well.....instead of them try using wood pellet cat litter(unused!!!)we buy 30 litre sacks(size of a bag of compost)for £6 .
use it as you would the granules-saves a heap of money and when you empty the container after the growing season the wood adds to your compost !
kitty ;D

Clayhithe · « **Reply #1 on:** April 12, 2005, 11:37:22 »

Not sure I understand water retention granules.

If they keep water in the granule, can the plant get it?

Does the compost dry out around the granule? Or does the granule release water into the compost, which then evaporates it into the air??

Or does it simply hold more water than the compost? So can we do away with the compost?

Do you see my problem, or is it just me?

Merlins Mum · « **Reply #2 on:** April 12, 2005, 15:27:12 »

What a good idea Kitty, thanks, think I'll give it a try. Have often looked at the water retaining granules but in the end thought, no I wont bother, they're too expensive. ;D

MM

Val · « **Reply #3 on:** April 12, 2005, 15:56:36 »

Used the granules in the hanging baskets last year and found a big improvement in the plants. I often have to water twice a day and its still not enough so the granules really helped. Think I might trial some, half granules half cat litter. Does it matter what sort of litter ..Are they all wood pellet or can you get other stuff? I don't have a cat OH will think I've finally flipped. ;D

kitty · « **Reply #4 on:** April 12, 2005, 15:59:23 »

clayhithe-i havent got a clue how they work-i spose the little roots wiggle up to the granule and slurp..once they are full f water i expect its like a sponge-it can take no more water in...but,thinking about it.....does it suck the moisture out the compost?
hmmmmmm ??? but i have always had the impression that they arent very environmentally friendly-they look like they are made of something nasty-and wood pellets do the same job but better(i think so any way!)for anyone who doesn't need quite that amount(30 litres)share with a chum or there are 2.5 litre bags available-

kitty · « **Reply #5 on:** April 12, 2005, 16:03:13 »

val-you havent got a cat???
you dont know what you're missing!!!
anyway-yes-there are lots of varieties of cat litter-you want the wood pellets(not the crunchy clay sort or the paper pellets)they are a by product of the wood industry-they are the nicest smelling of cat litters(before..ahem!..use)and bio degradable...supermarket(kitty spits vehemently)arecheapest-pet ity or local pet shop

GREENWIZARD · « **Reply #6 on:** April 12, 2005, 16:37:36 »

what the brand name of the cat litter you are using? quite fancy giving it a go :)

kitty · « **Reply #7 on:** April 12, 2005, 16:51:43 »

its
'mayfield'environmentally friendly woodbased cat litter-blooming great sack-last ages!
kitty ;D

BAGGY · « **Reply #8 on:** April 12, 2005, 16:54:39 »

Wilkos do it. Has anyone tried cat litter box liners as drip trays for seed trays? they work well and are chea[ too.

Roy Bham UK · « **Reply #9 on:** April 12, 2005, 18:48:30 »

Wow this sounds great ;D what a Thrifty Cunning Kitty you are. ;D I am assuming you mean perlite or vermiculite when referring to these granules? I use these quite allot with seeds and top dress as mulch. 8)

Thanks for sharing ;)

Merlins Mum · « **Reply #10 on:** April 12, 2005, 18:58:34 »

yes baggy, I've got several old cat litter trays I use for when I've put seedlings into individual pots. really great and much tougher than anything you can buy at garden centres. still have one for merlin of course ;D
MM

kitty · « **Reply #11 on:** April 12, 2005, 19:27:25 »

roy-i am indeed a thrifty cunning kitty! ;Dpurrr!
but no-not perlite or vermiculite-they are both reasonably cheap and aerate the soil in a pot

...these water retaining granules i am talking about are made of...what? ???i dunno-but they swell when water touches them and you mix them with your potting compost in hanging baskets and the like-i think one proprietory name is'swel-gel'..very expensive to my mind-and my clean cat litter is a much cheaper alternative..

baggi-i also use old cat trays to 'hold together' those soft papery bio pots-.
another thing i use-because we have quite a few cats, the 12 x pouch boxes as seed trays...cut down,with an old plastic bag underneath and an elastic band to hold it in place-they last long enough to get to the 'potting on stage

another top tip...use your cat as a feet warmer in bed in the winter months!our freddys ace at toasting toes! ;D

Roy Bham UK · « **Reply #12 on:** April 12, 2005, 22:10:54 »

Quote from: kitty on April 12, 2005, 19:27:25

roy-i am indeed a thrifty cunning kitty! ;Dpurrr!
but no-not perlite or vermiculite-they are both reasonably cheap and aerate the soil in a pot.

And also retain moisture, just read this off a Google Link..."Essentially perlite and vermiculite are used in the horticultural industry because they both provide aeration and drainage, they can retain and hold substantial amounts of water and later release it as needed, they are sterile and free from diseases, they have a fairly neutral pH (especially perlite which is neutral), and they are readily available, non-toxic, safe to use, and relatively inexpensive."

I am still considering the alternative of wood cat litter ;)

BAGGY · « **Reply #13 on:** April 12, 2005, 22:25:46 »

No, I meant the plastic bag litter tray liners. Like shortened bin liners. You can srunch more into them and home made containers (recycled yog pots etc) seem to fit better as the liners do not have rigid sides. My cat won't warm my feet or sit on my lap. He's too stuck up.

kitty · « **Reply #14 on:** April 13, 2005, 07:36:14 »

baggy..we only have very common cats -very basic they are...lots of burping after a meal.....breaking wind in front of the vicar-that sort of thing-embarrassing really,but they swear they've learned these habits from my OH.....
i can believe it... :(

roy-i didn't know that-i thought verm. and perl, were just for aerating.....i put perlite in as well.....well,it cant hurt can it? :)
kitty

Val · « **Reply #15 on:** April 13, 2005, 12:36:11 »

Hi Kitty, no can't have a cat, they make me itch and sneeze and my dog wouldn't approve one bit , she's already had one big black cat chase her....well it wouldn't run when she barked at it so she tried running towards it....she ran home faster... ;D

BAGGY · « **Reply #16 on:** April 13, 2005, 17:14:11 »

Kitty, don't get me wrong, my pedigree puss (rescued - I wanted a ginger) wears more catfood than he eats and is rather gaseous, but wouldn't deign to sit on your lap. Ooh noo, why grace the human with your presence when you can sit on telly or in their seat.

kitty · « **Reply #17 on:** April 13, 2005, 18:17:55 »

val-big black cat?
that sounds like our shop cat betty!she'll chase and eat any canine-and always wins! ;D

baggy
awww...he sounds a charmer! ;)
gaseous you say? :omaybe its just as well he wont sit on your knee!!!!!!!! ;D

Val · « **Reply #18 on:** April 14, 2005, 16:12:35 »

Think in a conflict between cat and dog, my money is on the cat any day. Strange I was saying to OH if you left a cat to fend for itself it would and quickly turn wild, not so a dog.

Merlins Mum · « **Reply #19 on:** April 14, 2005, 16:35:10 »

Very true Val, a cat is unlikely to starve if left to fend for itself but when it comes to a conflict between a dog and a cat, the cat isn't always the winner. I know of two people who've had their cat killed by a dog and one of mine could so have easily been. Not by our dog I hasten to add.
Very sad when folk encourage and train their dogs to go after cats, when they can be such friends.

MM

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Author Topic: water retention (Read 9487 times)